Gainesville Sun - August 19, 2001
By MARY CHAMBERS

Mary Chambers is superintendent of Alachua County schools.

Alachua County principals and staff have worked hard to prepare the best school year possible.

As we embark on the 2001-2002 school year, I want to welcome everyone back for another successful year. Principals and staff have worked very hard to prepare the best year possible for our 30,000 students.

The beginning of the new school year is an ideal time to reflect on our accomplishments and address our upcoming challenges. Academically, Alachua County students continue to perform above national and state averages in all subject areas.

Student achievement growth exceeds national averages, and our high school students outscored many other high schoolers from across the state on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. For the last four years, our district has received the "What Parents Want" Award from SchoolMatch, the nation's largest school selection consulting firm.

We are preparing a Comprehensive Curriculum Plan for the development and implementation of educational services to meet the needs of all students. It will include a reading program to emphasize early intervention and the adoption of a district-wide reading program.

Our schools continue to lead the way in preparing students for a highly technological future. We were the first public school system in the nation to develop a mobile technology lab that allowed students to study core academic subjects through the use of the most advanced technology available. In addition, students are offered opportunities at the Academy of Information Technology at Loften High School, which provides broad exposure to technology in areas like interactive digital media, system support and computer applications development.

This year, a statewide safe schools campaign is being initiated across the state of Florida called "Silence Hurts." It is designed to create an environment and culture where students feel free to speak up and, perhaps, even save a friend. It attempts to break the code of silence when it comes to violent or destructive acts. It is important to note that statistics still show that children face a less than one in a million chance of being killed at school.

One of our strategic plan's major priorities is to have a safe and orderly learning environment for students and staff. The district is focusing on prevention and intervention of violent acts in schools. The School Board is adopting a civility policy to promote mutual respect, civility and orderly conduct among district employees, parents and the public.

A "Character Counts Center" is available to provide an educational option for elementary students who are unable to participate meaningfully in the community life of a school. The center will provide instruction to help students develop positive social bonds, set high expectations, accept responsibility for actions and contribute through community service.

We encourage all parents to become involved in their child's education through school volunteering. We offer a comprehensive volunteer department to assist with volunteer endeavors.

Our accomplishments in student achievement reflect the hard work and expertise of our excellent teachers. We also appreciate the commitment and competence of the staff members who do so much to support the efforts of teachers.

Thanks to $1.8 million earmarked by the Legislature, teachers will receive in their first paycheck an additional $850 bonus. This represents an average 2.5 percent increase for this year. Each teacher also will receive $100 for classroom supplies.

Funding continues to be an issue. Our local legislators deserve an A for their support of public education. While we are using existing funds more wisely -- as evidenced by the recent redirection of more than $1.4 million into the classroom -- state funding is declining. Scarce funds have forced us to realign current resources to provide for district needs and board priorities for student achievement.

Regardless of our budgetary constraints, we will continue to focus on success -- one student at a time.

See August 19, 2001, issue of Gainesville Sun for original article.